Researchers at the Salk Institute have made a groundbreaking discovery about the role of microglia in the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In a study published in Nature Communications, the team found that microglia, the resident immune cells in the brain and spinal cord, use TAM receptors to find and kill motor neurons in the spinal cords of mice with ALS.
Key Insights
The study reveals that microglia use TAM receptors to target and eliminate motor neurons, contributing to the progression of ALS. This novel mechanism may help explain why microglial activation is linked to ALS and how this activation contributes to disease progression and lethality. Furthermore, the research suggests that therapies targeting the TAM system must also address the underlying mechanisms of ALS to be truly effective.
